Following the team with a unique perspective on all things Phillies. Email me: PhilliesPhollowers@comcast.net – Peace, Love & Baseball – Jenn

Lidge Blows Another, Phillies Win Anyway

This week in Phillies-land has been anything but dull.After getting swept by the Marlins, a trip to Chicago was in order.Coming off his second complete game shut-out with 127 pitches thrown, JA Happ looked a bit tired on the mound last night, but he got the job done.His composure and inability to lose his cool makes him extremely effective.In 6 innings, Happ only allowed two runs despite a plethora of base runners, as he worked in and out of trouble all night.It was another great job from the rookie who continues to show why he belongs in the starting rotation.

Even with the Phillies offense still in a coma, they entered the 9th inning with a 3-2 lead thanks mostly to a Jimmy Rollins 2-run homer in the 6th.Ryan Madson did his job to shut the Cubs down in the 8th and then Brad Lidge stepped to the mound in the 9th for the save.Adding more fuel to the fire of Phillies fans everywhere, Lidge blew another save; his 7th blown save of the year.And when you look at his ERA, which is a disgusting 7.29, I know many people are praying for Brett Myers to return.

Here is what I think:Stick a fork in Lidge; he is done.

Last night was the final straw for me.The Phillies kicked and scratched to stay in that game and then Lidge came in and demoralized the team.Earlier that day, Lidge threw a bullpen session to work on his fastball command.Sorry, but it is the middle of August.If he needs to work on his fastball command, he needs to do that in the minors – just like Myers did last year.And boy do we wish Myers was healthy right about now.

We all appreciate and admire the job Lidge did last year, but this is 2009 and he is not the same pitcher, for whatever reason.

He needs to get his act together, screw his head back on straight and learn how to pitch again.It is either that, or fans are going to take the Lidge bobblehead doll that will be distributed at the game on Wednesday the 19th and use it for target practice.As much as I would hate to see the poor, innocent Lidge doll decapitated, maybe that is the jolt he needs to wake up?Honestly, I love Brad and it pains me to see him struggle like this, but he cannot be allowed to continue to hurt the team when the division is clearly not in the bag, by any means.

But even with the blown save, the Phillies kept at it and tried to pull out the win.With a 3-3 tie in the 12th inning, Ben Francisco threw the team up on his shoulders and hit a game-winning home run.Chad Durbin nailed down the save and all is well in the world again.By the way, could someone please tell Mr. Francisco to use two hands when catching fly balls in the outfield?As pleased as we all are with his bat skills right now, he is making me very, very nervous out there with the glove.A bit of foreshadowing?I hope not.

So the circus continues…Pedro Martinez will make his Phillies debut tonight!Jamie Moyer has a Pedro voodoo doll ready to go so he can get his job back, but still hoping for a win ;o)Of course, I am joking…Jamie is a true professional and will always root on his team, even if he is unhappy with the situation.I am still voting for my split game, 5 1/2-man rotation idea to keep Jamie in the game, but MLB just hates creativity ;O)Well, let’s see how Pedro does!Go Phillies!

8 Comments

That sounded like a great game last night–from both dugouts. The Cubs fighting back in the 9th, the Phils walking off. Not too shabby. I’m hoping that I can catch the game today with Pedro on the mound b/c that is going to be something.http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com/

todays game will be interesting in more ways than one I think, I don’t know who we can use instead of Lidge, Madson is okay but he needs more practice ot get the closer mentality, maybe Eyre could step in for a couple of nights

I thank your guys for coming through and beating the Cubs (please keep doing it) but I agree, Lidge needs to get some help — whatever it takes! How did he go from stellar to slumper so quickly? Is he hurt? Did he forget how to out think hitters? This is becoming sad…
–jeffhttp://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/http://mtrredstatebluestate.com

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